Coolant Smell

Hi Folks,

I posted this in the 2nd gen forum by accident the other day...
I did get some good information over there but thought i might
ask over here for additional information.

I have not done the pressure test yet fyi...

Sorry i couldn't figure out how to move that thread to here so
i've linked to it below...I hope this is ok with the Moderators??

Thanks.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/coolant-smell.477147/

 

Do the pressure test.

Nothing magical about any Tacoma cooling system.

But I'll guess water pump weep hole.

And no, coolant loss is not normal. Its a sealed system

 

Thanks for the response Sir...

When i referred to loosing coolant i should have said that i have had to add a small amount of coolant
to the overflow reservoir a couple times and someone on the forum said this was normal??
The coolant level in the radiator is fine as i mentioned.

Anyway, i've not head of the water pump weep hole, where is that located
on the WP?...might be my problem.

.

 

weep holes are on the bottom of the WP shaft casting. Between the front edge of the snout and a little bit back.

Their purpose for the last bazillion years is to give an indicator that the bearing seals have failed, and it won't be long till the bearing itself fails from coolant contamination.

Often the initial leak is so small that while you may smell it, you might not see it, as it can dribble and evaporate quickly, get lost in dirt on the front of the engine, etc. Sometimes you can feel the hole from the top side, or use a mirror/light to locate it. Sometimes lying on the ground with a bright light aimed up in the area easily reveals the leak.

Like I said, it's my 'guess'. Pressure test the system, and you'll know where the leak(s) are for sure.

BTW, if it is the WP, plan on a new one soon. And I'd refresh everything you have to touch to get to it if those parts haven't been done lately.

 

Hi Bill,

Thank you for a great description!...I did not know that. Learn something every day.
I'll have a look around and under, though I'd think the water pump would last a bit longer than 40k miles?

Best.

PC

 

Agree it shouldn't be that. But its easy to look. And its why I said it was my guess. Internet diagnois isn't easy.

However, the advice to pressure test the system still stands. DIY in the driveway.

 

Also check the sealing surface between the radiator and cap. If the radiator cap seal's bad, coolant will evaporate.
On older cars, the radiator neck sometimes gets buggered up and even with a new cap, the seal is still bad.
For testing suspect leaks like these; Take a piece of glass and place it on the radiator neck.
Then using a piece of white chalk you can see even the smallest of gaps. A feeler gauge can be used too.

 

The 2TR-FE usually is pretty good on water pumps. The 1GR-FE on the other hand has had a rash of water pump issues. My little brother had a bad water pump on his 1GR-FE Tundra that had 80k. Not a very cheap fix and kind of a pain in the butt.